Would-be robbers laughed out of West Side bar

YOUNGSTOWN — Patrons and employees at a West Side bar laughed a trio of would-be robbers out of the business before realizing the armed men were serious in their demands for cash and valuables.

One employee and four patrons were inside the Clark’s Bar on Mahoning Avenue late Monday into early Tuesday morning. The conversation and relative peace were interrupted just after 1 a.m.

A man appearing to be white or Hispanic and in his late teens or early 20s came into the bar with clothing covering most of his face, weighing about 150 pounds. He wore a reddish-orange camouflage vest and one glove covering the hand in which he held a dark-colored handgun.

That man was followed into the bar by another white or Hispanic male in his late teens or early 20s appearing to be slightly taller, wearing dark clothes, covering his face with cloth and carrying a canvass-style bag. A third man, also in dark clothes and face covered, entered the bar and stood near the exit.

The armed man pointed the gun at the bartender while the man carrying the bag placed the bag on the counter and demanded money.

The patrons and bartender began laughing at the three bandits. They later told police they thought the entire thing was a “joke” and “not for real.”

Police reports say the three men stood at the bar for about 10 seconds saying nothing, then, dejected, walked out the bar with nothing.